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The county has been remembering the war years, 1939-1945, with the help of Herefordshire Libraries.

It’s all part of our 80:80 project, marking VE Day and VJ Day by collecting 80 of your memories, photos, and stories to mark the 80th anniversary of the war’s end.

Amongst the many memories, Allan spoke of his Mum who became one of Hereford’s first wartime policewomen; June, whose baby brother was taken into care during the Blitz, but who never came home; and the miraculous survival of the Hereford hop farmer saved by the Dutch Resistance after his bomber was shot down.

All these and more will be published in the free 80:80 magazine, due to be published with IOA in September.

Why not subscribe to IOA today and get your free copy?

Note: Burma Star connections? A Victory Japan Memorial Day will be held at St Peter’s Square, Hereford on Friday August 15

VE Day – Victory in Europe – saw some serious partying around the county!

On that day Ross-on-Wye student teacher Barbara Sharpe (nee Philips) took the train to Hereford for the newly opened May Fair: “My luck was in: I won two glasses and a toy dog!”

Jean Muldowney, meanwhile, joined a conga on Hereford’s Castle Green, a band blasting out Glen Miller’s In The Mood, as she danced her way into High Town.

Yet 5,000 miles away Bulmer Avenue’s Don Cornford was struggling to stay alive, a prisoner of war slaving on Burma’s notorious Death Railway. Don wasn’t released until VJ Day – Victory Japan Day – in August 1945.

Now Herefordshire Libraries and Herefordshire Lore are coming together to remember the men, women and children affected by the War in 80:80. Between May’s VE Day and August’s VJ Day we will collect 80 stories, items, photos and memories to mark the war. They will be published on the county Libraries’ Herefordshire History website, herefordshirehistory.org.uk

In Our Age editor Marsha O’Mahony, editor of Herefordshire Lore’s In Our Age, will open 80:80 at Hereford’s city library in the Town Hall from 10.00 to 12.30 on Thursday’s VE Day: “We often mark such events by looking at the men serving in the Armed Forces, but the war touched everyone – mothers, evacuees, POWs at home and abroad. And even school children and evacuees: everyone paid a price for the war years.”

Join Marsha if you can at:

• Hereford Library: VE Day May 8 Thursday, 10.00 – 12.30
• Ross Library: May 15 Thursday, 10.00 – 12.30
• Ledbury Library: May 22 Thursday, 10.00 – 12.30
• Leominster Library: May 29 Thursday, 10.00 – 12.30
• Hereford Library: June 5 Thursday, 10.00 – 12.30

Join Kevin Tillett and author Marsha O’Mahony at The Vaga Tavern in Hereford for two hours of river memories.

Friday 16th May 6pm to 8pm

The Vaga Tavern, Vaga Street, Hereford HR2 7AT

Free but donations welcome

Part of Herefordshire Histories Festival

Herefordshire Lore held it’s AGM at Herefordshire Archives and Record Centre (HARC) on Thursday 6th February 2025.

We were pleased to welcome a good number of guests and supporters, including the current Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Kevin Tillett and Mayors Officer John Marshall.

Acting Chair, Bill Laws, was voted in as Chair, stalwart Eileen Klotz remains our Secretary, and Harvey Payne who has been keeping an eye on our finances remains our Treasurer.

Bill outlined what Herefordshire Lore is about:

‘We find people and interview them face to face, we turn those interviews into transcripts and eventually store them at HARC’

‘The National Oral History Society tell us the monetary value of each interview is probably worth £500, so our 2000 archived interviews could be worth over £100,000!’

‘It is an extraordinary resource, that is of course invaluable to the people of Herefordshire and those interested in remembered history.’

Bill reminded people that Herefordshire Lore relies on subscriptions, donations and receiving project grants to carry on its valuable work. We also rely on our team of volunteers, and of course, the people who come forward with their stories and photographs.

Following Bill’s introduction and briefing about what the future holds for Herefordshire Lore our ‘In Our Age‘ magazine editor, Marsha O’Mahony, gave an illustrated talk about the people of River Wye from her book ‘River Voices‘.

If you have a Herefordshire related story that you would like to tell, please get in touch.

“When the war finished [1918] I went back to the Valleys. I used to do competition walking, over the hills, then ‘cos it was the Depression. I used to win like a box of vegetables, or a cabbage.” Hereford munition worker Annie Slade.

“I remember Mum had the telegram – Father had been killed in a cellar at Arnhem. It left Mum to bring up the seven of us on College Estate. On 32 bob a week.” Mary Morris.

These memories by Mary and Annie (the only known interview with a World War 1 Hereford Munitions worker) are among over 200 face-to-face interviews and transcripts in the Herefordshire Lore archive. In addition there are 80+ newsletters and around 2500 photographs.

Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, Judith and Eve (pictured) especially, the Archive will soon be available to researchers, family historians and the public when it is lodged, after two years work, at Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre.

Preparing the archive entailed digitising hours of cassette and mini disc recordings, and transcribing word by word some difficult audio recordings.

Bill is chairman of Herefordshire Lore: “The Archive, amassed over 35 years, constitutes one of the county’s most important 20th century, social history records. We’re indebted to our fantastic volunteers for safeguarding them for the future. Thank you Herefordshire!”

‘Jailbird’ city heroine celebrated at History Day event

Forgotten local heroes such as sculptor Charles Gertner, British spy Violetta Szabo and First World War munitioner Elsie Able are remembered at this year’s Hereford History Day.
Themed to celebrate some of the city’s unsung heroes, History Day opens at the Town Hall on Saturday, September 21.

After a civic procession through High Town with Mayor Kevin Tillett, the BBC’s Nick Barratt will open the Town Hall’s History ‘Supermarket’ bringing together nearly twenty local history groups. With walks, talks, tours, and performances throughout the day, events include advice on digital family history research from Nick Barratt; the story of the SAS from Major David Seeney; and a screening of butcher Nick Ogelby’s ‘dash cam’ film Hereford in 1984.

The winners of this year’s Young Historian Award will be revealed as the Guild of Guides focus on Hereford’s famous buildings (the Town Hall itself celebrates its 120th birthday this year) and famous city women.

Among the local heroes are Hereford Art School’s Charles Gertner, the artist behind the Christ statue that once stood on the roof of St Xavier’s; and ‘jailbird’ Elsie Abel, imprisoned after a city demo in 1918, triggering protests from MPs and trade unions. Elsie is celebrated by young performers at this year’s History SLAM!

Organised by Herefordshire Lore, publishers of the quarterly In Our Age journal, for the second year running, and funded by the City Council and local supporters, Hereford History Day promises to be a day to remember. Co-ordinator Becca Savage, sponsored by the Barrels to help run the event, says visitors will enjoy a great day out: “There’ll be lots to see and do for all ages along with plenty of tea, cake and good company!”

Read more on our Hereford History Day page

Herefordshire Lore were overwhelmed by the turnout and support by the people of Herefordshire, who made Hereford History Day such a success.

Thanks to everyone who came along, and especially the people who worked so hard to showcase the diverse and amazing history that we are so lucky to have around us.

Civic Parade through Hereford City Centre to announce the start of Hereford History Day 2023

We estimate that up to a thousand visitors arrived at the Town Hall on Saturday 23rd for Hereford History Day 2023.  Organised by Herefordshire Lore, the event has been described as a “triumph”.

“Wonderful day, rich in heritage and community spirit. Great to see our Town Hall bursting with life and history too” – Nic Millington CEO The Rural Media Company

Officially opened with a civic procession through the city, with the Mayor and High Sheriff in attendance, the day got off to a great start. Eighteen stallholders from history and heritage organisations across the city reported huge interest, while crowds of people wanted to know if it would be happening again next year.

Guest speaker Nick Barratt from ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ sponsored by Herefordshire Family History Society

Our guest speaker, Nick Barratt, from BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are programme received a rapturous welcome. The Elizabethan History Slam added some light-hearted drama over ownership of the Wye. The award of the Betty Webb Memorial Cup for Hereford’s Young Historian was warmly received and the winners a credit to their schools and parents.

Herefordshire Lore’s Peter Mayne, with some items from his Secret Post Office Museum

Joseph Brown winner of the Betty Webb Memorial Cup for Hereford’s Young Historian

Hereford History Day was organised by Herefordshire Lore with support and funding from Hereford City Council, Herefordshire’s Family History Society, Wye Valley Brewery and Jackson Property.

It was a hugely successful day, pulled off by a team of volunteers.

Young People from Close House who helped leafleting during the parade through Hereford Town Centre

The Mayor’s Officer, John Marshall (front first row) with Mayor Cllr Jacqui Carwardine (second row second from left), Junior Mayor Zuzanna Zarebska (second row third right)  together with the High Sheriff of Herefordshire Robert Robinson (second row far right).

Photographs: © Christopher Preece 2023

Read more about was offered at Hereford History Day 2023

Watch Herefordshire Lore’s ‘Hereford History Day Slideshow’ with photos from our archive of ‘Made in Hereford’ produced by our Christopher Preece:

See the photographs from Hereford History Day 2023:

Herefordshire Lore at Hereford History Day

Thanks to our sponsors for Hereford History Day 2023: